As Hybrex dealers who are interested in VoIP would be aware there has in the recent past been mention of the coming availability of VoIP extensions for Hybrex equipment.

We are now happy to announce that stage I of IP extension functionality is available for GDS systems. IP extension functionality allows VoIP telephones to be deployed remotely to the parent GDS anywhere there is a broadband Internet or intranet connection available subject to possible firewall restrictions. These VoIP phones then function as a GDS system extension in the true sense of extension behavior. For example such VoIP extensions can be placed in ring groups, intercom other extensions, receive, make, and/or transfer calls via the GDS trunks or to other extensions, access and use the voicemail facility for their extension number, in fact all the normal things an extension can do. The one caveat at present is that, since the new Hybrex VoIP phone isn’t ready for release yet, the VoIP phones being employed behave in the same way as an SLT or analogue system extension.

The base for this IP extension setup is a new variant of the VIU platform card called the G2-ISU3/24 which is fitted in a trunk slot position in a GDS 80 port or 40 port cabinet.

Each G2-ISU3 fitted can support up to 8 VoIP extension phones, with 3 codec channels available – meaning max 3 concurrent calls per card. A special case exists where if a G2-
ISU3 is fitted in the last trunk slot in a GDS 80 port cab, and there is no PRI card fitted in that cab, then that ISU3 can support up to 24 VoIP extension phones.

For use as extension phones the currently defined and supported items are the Snom300 and Snom320 VoIP hardphones and the free SJphone softphone. The Snom phones have been chosen for their interoperability, extensive programmability (multiple lines etc), and style; the 300 is the economy phone and the 320 useful for executive placement. An ATA in the form of the Linksys SPA3102 is also defined for special uses. Wifi IP phones are also useable (with some model constraints) but currently undocumented. The defined and supported modem-router for ISU3 installs is a Draytek Vigor in the 2700e or 2800 series.

This technology represents a large step forward for Hybrex GDS functionality and Dealer familiarity with the setups, methods, and advantages of “remote” IP extensions is strongly recommended.